A sketch of the planned statue of Brian Epstein to be erected in Liverpool.(Photo credit: Tom Murray/Courtesy David Bedford )

A group of Brian Epstein's friends and fans in his native Liverpool announced plans Friday to erect a statue in the city honoring the late Beatles manager.

The group said it will work to raise £60,000 ($96,274 USD) required to fund the statue, which will be created by sculptor Tom Murphy. The sculptor was responsible for the representation of John Lennon in the airport named after him in Liverpool.

The campaign already has the support of some high profile backers as patrons of the charity, including both Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers and Billy J Kramer. Both men were part of the stable of artists including the Beatles who were managed by Epstein.

The Liverpool City Council has already approved the request for the statue, which will be located at the former home of Epstein's father and grandparents, now Epstein's Guest House on Anfield Road in Liverpool.

“Brian Epstein fully deserves to have a statue honoring him,” said Sam Leach, one-time Beatles promoter and friend of Epstein. “He took the Beatles to national and worldwide fame and, despite their obvious talent, they may not have made it without him. With his urbane, dignified manner Brian opened doors that had previously been slammed in my face."

A series of fund-raising events are planned for the coming weeks and months. Rodger Meachem, who is heading up the effort, said, “In this difficult economic climate, we know that it will be difficult to raise such a large amount of money, but we will do all we can to remind the world of Brian Epstein’s incredible contribution to the world. I mean how can we overlook the man who brought us the Beatles?”

The statue is the latest tribute to the former Beatles manager. A theater in Liverpool renamed Epstein Theatre will premiere a play about the Beatles manager this month.

And two films are in the works, one planned on a graphic novel and the other backed by actor Tom Hanks. Both are at least a year away from being released.